The NFL released a statement Monday saying replay official Bob Boylston made a huge error in not reviewing the fumble by Broncos punt returner Trindon Holliday, whose showboating should have led to a fumble and Carolina ball at the 20 — and not a 76-yard touchdown on punt return that put the Broncos ahead 14-7.

Holliday flipped the ball in a celebratory gesture as he was completing his return — but not quite completing. Replays showed he lost the ball at the 1-yard line.

“No, I didn’t realize that,” Holliday said. “Actually it happened last week too and I thought I was actually in the end zone this time, but they told me I wasn’t. So I had to go back and look at the film and I really wasn’t, so coach told me next time to just bring him the ball so we’ll be alright.”

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has discovered what many quarterbacks in the NFL have — that your second year can often be more trying, at least in terms of solving NFL defenses, than your first.

Teams have studied you in the offseason and will test your willingness to work on your weak spots.

The Panthers are 27th in the league in completion percentage with Newton having thrown all but three passes and Newton has thrown more interceptions that touchdowns through eight games.

Brian Xanders at his office on July 14, 2011, at Dove Valley in Englewood.

Now that Marty Hurney has been fired, the Carolina Panthers need a general manager.

Brian Xanders should be on their short-list of candidates. This is a guy who knows the inner front-office systems of three teams — the Atlanta Falcons, Broncos and New England Patriots (through his time with Josh McDaniels). Xanders has worked nearly NFL job, from coach to salary cap manager to talent evaluator to general manager.

He has worked with coaches Dan Reeves, Jim Mora, Mike Shanahan, Josh McDaniels and John Fox. All that, and Xanders is still only 41. Xanders was let go a week after the 2012 draft as Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway streamlined his front office. But Elway acknowledged then he was saying goodbye to a good football executive.

Peyton Manning’s No. 18 Broncos jersey has been the top seller among NFL players since the day he signed with the team. In the latest update released by NFLShop.com., 49ers middle linebacker Patrick Willis is the top seller among defensive players and the Giants’ Victor Cruz is the top-selling receiver.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is making a major financial contribution to help victims of the Aurora movie theater shootings.

Smith, a 12-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire career playing for Carolina, has pledged $100,000 to help survivors of the shooting pay for medical expenses. According to a press release issued by his agent, Smith will send the money to the City of Aurora, which will then distribute the money to victims.

“From one NFL city to another, God bless,” Smith said in a statement.

Twelve people were killed and 58 more injured in the shooting early Friday morning during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

“As a father and husband I cannot imagine the pain and suffering the victims are going through,” Smith said in the statement. “My family’s hearts and prayers are extended to theirs, and I hope this contribution might assist in paying some of the medical bills that will help allow these families to move forward in this tragic circumstance.”

The Broncos play Smith and the Panther in Charlotte on Nov. 11. Smith, a native of Los Angeles, played college ball at Utah.

The Broncos on Monday learned who they’ll face next season, home and away, after the NFL released each team’s opponents. The full schedule with days and times will be released later, likely in the spring.

But the Broncos, coming off an 8-8 season as AFC West champs, will face another tough slate next season, including games against the Steelers, Saints, Ravens and Patriots.

Can Michael Vick lead a star-studded Philadelphia Eagles team to the NFC championship game?

The Denver Post on Thursday will release a 16-page Broncos and NFL preview, breaking down team needs and John Elway’s vision for where the team will head. Find it in a special print section and online at denverpost.com/broncos.

Their offensive plans, which now include QB Kevin Kolb throwing to a $120 million receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, took a hit when RB Ryan Williams suffered a ruptured tendon in his knee in the preseason. Their two-deep is a huge question mark. Former Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson tore a biceps tendon, and they lack a top-shelf pass rusher. Prediction: 9-7

St. Louis Rams

They have a potential franchise QB in Sam Bradford, who was cocooned in two-tight end and two-back looks last season as a rookie, but will not have that luxury this year in Josh McDaniels’ more open formations. They haven’t shown they can protect their most prized player in this preseason, and their run defense is an enormous question mark. Prediction: 6-10

The Broncos finished up their one-year agreement Monday with former Carolina tight end Dante Rosario, who had 32 catches last season for John Fox’s Carolina Panthers. Rosario will be walking out to watch practice momentarily.

The Broncos also signed tight end Daniel Fells, who had 41 catches for St. Louis last season, to a one-year contract. Fells is scheduled to arrive in Denver in time to watch the evening walkthrough.

Richard Quinn, the Broncos’ second-round draft pick in 2009 who entered camp as the expected starter as the blocking tight end, and Dan Gronkowski, who entered camp as the starting “receiving” tight end, are about to get some serious competition.

The Broncos had also agreed to terms with former Carolina tight end Dante Rosario pending his physical tonight, but they have signed St. Louis Rams tight end Daniel Fells, according to NFL sources.

The Carolina Panthers and Charles Johnson have agreed to a six-year contract worth $72 million.

Carolina defensive end Charles Johnson, relatively unknown until he agreed to a six-year, $72 million contract with $32 million in guarantees Tuesday to re-up with the Panthers, told the Gaston Gazette the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons were also bidding for his services.

Johnson played for Broncos head coach John Fox in Carolina the past four seasons. It’s unclear whether the Broncos believed Johnson, at 275 pounds, could play defensive tackle, the team’s primary position of need.

What’s encouraging is the Broncos must have a decent free-agent budget if they were in on a player who wound up with a $72 million deal.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.